Charlotte, NC Restaurant Guide
When British settlers named North Carolina’s most populous City in honor of Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, the queen consort of King George III, they had little idea “The Queen City” would be such an apt nickname. Now, the City has world class dining and accommodations, a striking skyline and is the home of major brands like Bank of America, Lowe’s, Honeywell and Truist.
When folks think North Carolina, they think of incredible BBQ, of course! Charlotte is right in the thick of North Carolina BBQ culture, with dozens of mouthwatering options, including Bill Spoon’s BBQ, which has been serving incredible pulled pork sandwiches and whole hog since 1963.
Or maybe when folks think of Carolina, they think of Southern Staples, like Chicken Fried Steak, Deviled Eggs and Fried Green Tomatoes. Places like Nana Morrison’s Soul Food, the Metro Diner and more have these essential dishes of the South, ready for your next visit to Charlotte. Or maybe you’re in the mood for Midwood smokehouse, which is considered by many to be the best in the area? As our writer says, every bit of BBQ on the menu “is a crispy, smoky, well-cooked tasty dish that leaves you wanting more.”
You can learn about all of that and more in some of our lists focused on the Queen City. On our “Most Marvelous Steakhouses in Charlotte” post, we cover dishes like the Wagyu bone-in strip at Sullivan’s Steakhouse, the Center cut at Carolina Prime Steakhouse and the Prime Rib at The Porter’s House.
With a thriving microbrewery scene, including Wooden Robot, Devil’s Logic and more, we focus on the best brewers in the city and some of the in brewery dining options you can pair with your pint. On every page we provide a map of our list, which can be helpful when it’s better to walk between locations than drive. Plan out your Charlotte brewery crawl using our picks!
Then of course, there’s the racing scene – if NASCAR were the movie business, Charlotte would be Hollywood. Between being the home of the NASCAR hall of fame and where some of the sport’s best athletes call home, there’s plenty around racing culture in Charlotte. In fact, some of these very drivers are also involved in the restaurant business. NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr has opened two Whiskey River restaurants in Charlotte, Jimmie Johnson once owned a taco shop in Charlotte, and The Speedway Club has hosted numerous drivers over the years.
The Absolute Best Restaurants with Outdoor Seating in Charlotte
Charlotte has so many fabulous restaurants with prime outdoor seating. Whether you want a romantic date night under the stars or a quiet place to enjoy local cuisines, there are endless places to go. A promising patio is all you need to make an ordinary day or night exceptional, but not all restaurants have outdoor seating. Fortunately, we have made it easier for you by assembling a few restaurants with outdoor seating in Charlotte.
8 Must Try Japanese Restaurants in Charlotte, NC
The Japanese culinary tradition is full of unique dishes, drinks, and experiences. If you find yourself in the Charlotte metro area and crave a tantalizing plate of sushi or glass of sake, keep reading. We’ve compiled some of the best Japanese restaurants in Charlotte, North Carolina as ranked by visitors and critics alike.
Where to Find the Best, Most Mouthwatering Fried Chicken in Charlotte
Fried chicken is a wondrous thing to eat any time of the day. This is one reason why Charlotte, North Carolina locals are so lucky–they have *tons* of great restaurants that offer stellar fried chicken. If you are visiting this part of the country, fried chicken in Charlotte is easy to find. Locals know how to fry it up just so. They also know how to add in the kind of side dishes that make it a truly excellent, gut-busting experience. We’ve narrowed down some of the top picks for fried chicken in Charlotte to help you on your search.
Where To Find The Very Best Bagels In Charlotte
Bagels are one of those unmatched breakfast foods. It’s filling, it’s comforting, and a great vessel for sandwiches, whether for breakfast, brunch, or lunch. Maybe it’s the texture and the shape of the bread that make them so exciting. It may also be because of the unlimited combinations of flavors. One thing is for sure–people always appreciate a good bagel. Here are some great places to find delicious bagels in Charlotte.
The 10 Absolute Best Burger Spots in Charlotte
America has always been home to a variety of mouthwatering cuisines. Today, we focus on one of the nation’s most beloved foods, burgers! Charlotte boasts of some of the best burger spots you can try out on your next visit to the city. Here is a list of some of the Best Burger Spots in Charlotte.
10 Meals for Under $10 in Charlotte
Eating a meal without spending a ton of money seems so hard these days, and eating cheap while still having great quality seems even harder. Well, we went to work and put together a list of ten different places where you can get a wonderful meal and manage to stay under a $10 budget. From Chinese and Mediterranean to pizza and burgers, below you’ll find some awesome local restaurants serving up great quality meals for super cheap every time!
The Absolute Most Delicious Italian Restaurants in Charlotte, NC
Charlotte has become quite the foodie town, not just in the Southeast, but all across the country! And no town can gain that kind of recognition without at least a couple of great Italian restaurants. Well, we’ve put together a list of them. Each of their menus vary based on region, however we can guarantee that no matter which one you pick, you will have a hot, fresh, and ultra comforting meal. Start from the top of the list and work your way down. However you do it, you’re going to want to check all of these out. Bon Appetit!
Charlotte’s Most Incredible Brunch Spots
Charlotte is one of the most beautiful cities in the South, with lots of entertaining things to see and do. Whether you’re looking to take a nature hike, visit a museum, or visit a restaurant with a stunning view of the city, you’ll find what you’re looking for here! If you want to indulge in a decadent brunch meal while you’re in the city, there are plenty of quality restaurants to choose from. Here are a few of the brunch spots in Charlotte that will make your brunch even more exciting.
The 7 Absolute Best NoDa Restaurants in Charlotte, NC
NoDa, which is short for North Davidson Street, is a neighborhood in Charlotte known for its art, entertainment, and eclectic style. Here, you’ll find tons of fun dive bars, like NoDa 101, one of the best karaoke bars around, coffee shops, cute stores, and of course, delicious food. All of the restaurants around here follow the artsy, eclectic style of the neighborhood from the decorations inside to the menu items they serve. NoDa is nothing but fun and we’ve put together a list of some of the best places to eat while you’re here. Cheers!
Where To Find Totally Mouthwatering BBQ In Charlotte, NC
Charlotte has made tremendous strides in the BBQ game over the last few years. You don’t have to leave the city and travel to enjoy great barbeque anymore. There are plenty of spots in town that will keep you coming back. Here are BBQ spots in Charlotte that will surprise you with their depth of flavors!
10 Scenic Rooftop Restaurants in Charlotte
Charlotte’s continuous growth and ever-changing skyline means more rooftops to dine and drink on! There’s now plenty of charming places for rooftop brews and swanky lounges. So which are the best rooftop restaurants in Charlotte? Continue reading to find all the very best elevated rooftop bars in Charlotte that are totally worth a visit!
The Tastiest South End Restaurants in Charlotte
Charlotte is the most tenanted city in North Carolina. This contributes to the rise of many restaurants, most of which have perfected the culinary art over the years. There’s a range of cuisines available in this business hub, and many restaurants are reasonably priced. We went around sampling various restaurants to enjoy the whole culinary experience, and we found this to be among the best South End restaurants in Charlotte.
So now you know…if you’re racing through the Southeast, you have to stop in Charlotte – the home of incredible BBQ, mouthwatering burgers, and the NASCAR hall of fame. With world-class eateries and some delicious hidden gems throughout the metro area, there’s always a way to get some version of the royal treatment in The Queen City. So crack open a Cheerwine and toast to the best restaurants Charlotte, NC has to offer.